As a cartoon character Mickey Mouse is kind of a snooze. He’s not really funny and he just stands around waving at people as he gently chuckles at nothing in particular. He’s never been a beloved childhood figure as much as he’s been the eerie grinning face of a massive corporate conglomerate. At this point, Mickey Mouse is about as warm and as appealing as the GE logo. Could this staid, corporate symbol ever be involved in something that’s slightly more than just a calculated business decision?

Believe it or not, the answer is yes. According to TV Guide, The Disney Channel is set to premiere 19 new Mickey Mouse shorts beginning on June 28. The new cartoons will be executive produced by Paul Rudish – the man who gave us The Powerpuff Girls and Dexter’s Laboratory– and set in various exotic locations like Tokyo, Venice, The Alps and New York City.

Although strongly reminiscent of the minimalist cut scenes found in the “Epic Mickey” videogame, the new shorts (such as “Croissant De Triomphe” which is available right here) look promising. It’s surprisingly edgy for a Disney cartoon and, for once, Mickey is more than just a faceless, ever-present silhouette that silently judges everything you do and say at Disneyworld. If “Croissant de Triomphe” is any indication, these new shorts are far better than they have any right to be.